Air Force punishes 16 officers in Brown crash

August 6, 1996Web posted at: 5:20 p.m. EDT

From Military Affairs Correspondent Jamie McIntyre

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Air Force announced Tuesday that 16
officers, including two generals and six colonels, have been
punished for their role in the April 3 crash of the Air Force
CT-43 in Croatia, which killed Commerce Secretary Ron Brown
and 34 others.

The most serious reprimands were given to Brig. Gen. William
Stevens, the former Air Wing commander, and Col. John
Mazurowski, former commander of the 86th operations group.

Both were cited for "dereliction of duty" for failing to make
sure that the correct instrument approaches were used for
landings at Dubrovnik airport in Croatia.

In addition, Maj. Gen. Jeffery Cliver and Col. Roger Hansen
received "letters of reprimand" for failing to exercise
proper oversight.

The administrative punishments were called "significant
sanctions" by the Air Force, and sources say the reprimands
are "career-enders."

In addition, 12 other officers received lesser punishments,
and their names will not be released. They range in rank
from major to colonel.